Dear Cathy,
I have a five-month-old dog who is 50 pounds. He is an American bulldog. The other day, he had ripped apart one of his toys and swallowed some big pieces of it. He couldn’t have done that to this toy a few weeks ago. I know it’s common for a puppy to destroy things, but should I be changing out his toys to accommodate his growth and strength or is this just what puppies do? – Barbara

Dear Barbara,

Yes, to both your questions. Puppies of all sizes do tear up things when teething. But large breed puppies go through big physical changes during this time, and the toys they played with at four-months-old may no longer be suitable for a five-month-old 50-pound puppy.  

Stuffed animals are great for small puppies or small breed dogs, but large breed puppies tend to rip them apart in just a few seconds and are more likely to swallow those pieces. As puppies grow, it’s important to supervise their play and monitor what they do with their toys. If they are chewing bits off these toys and swallowing the pieces, then it’s time to get rid of that toy and find something more durable. If you search for “indestructible dog toys,” you will find an assortment of balls and chew sticks made from sturdy rubber or poly plastic as well as rope toys, all of which are more suitable for your aggressive chewer. 

Also, keep an eye on his overall health and behavior; if you notice any signs of discomfort or if he ingests something that could cause harm, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian for advice.

Dear Cathy,
My two-year-old Maltipoo, who is housebroken and trained to use a doggie door, has started urinating on the same spot on my tile floor in the dining area almost every night. The pet door is very close, so I’m unsure why she insists on doing this, making me mop up most mornings. I’ve tried using a plastic floor runner, spikey-side up, and a “shock mat” that gives off a mild shock if stepped on, but she either goes potty on top of them or near the shock mat, causing it to seep underneath. To avoid cleaning these items, I’ve stopped using them. Do you have any suggestions for a deterrent to stop this behavior? – Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Sometimes, it’s hard to determine why a dog might suddenly change her behavior. It could be that your Maltipoo is hesitant to go outside alone in the dark. A night light near the doggie door and leaving a light on outside might help if this is the case. It’s also possible that something outside scared her at night, making her reluctant to go out at that time again.

While the exact reason might remain a mystery, it’s clear that she has developed a habit of going in the same spot indoors, and there are a few strategies you can try to address this issue.

First, use an enzymatic cleaner (available at pet stores) to thoroughly clean the area where she’s been urinating. This will remove any biological traces, making it less likely she’ll be tempted to relieve herself there again.

Second, consider retraining her to use the doggie door as if she were a puppy. Although she uses it during the day, reinforcing this behavior can help her feel more comfortable using it at night. When she uses the door, meet her outside and use a reward word like “Bingo” to praise her, followed by a treat. Continue this for one to two weeks. To encourage successful nighttime use, go out into the yard near bedtime and encourage her to follow you through the doggie door. If she knows you’re outside, she’ll be more likely to come out and relieve herself. Reward her and stay with her until she finishes her business.

If these methods don’t work, you might consider taking her outside for a walk before bedtime and temporarily keeping her in a kennel at night to train her to wait until morning to relieve herself. Additionally, you could place a potty-training pad in the spot where she’s been having accidents to accommodate the behavior. While this may still require some cleanup, it can help protect your floors from damage.

Send your pet tips, stories and questions to cathy@petpundit.com. You can read her blog, Animals Matter, at http://blog.mysanantonio.com/animals/. Cathy is the author of several children’s books.